[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6605715,"mediaKeyId","2985034-0bdb891a47ba8afe8da73799dec35909","parentId",2985034,"title","Marion County OKs Southeast 70 Third PUD amendment with amended buffer language","audioSeconds",2073,"startMs",1676000,"endMs",3749000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985034-0bdb891a47ba8afe8da73799dec35909&start=1676&end=3749","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985034-0bdb891a47ba8afe8da73799dec35909/thumbnail_1676000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6605715/Marion-County/Florida/Marion-County-OKs-Southeast-70-Third-PUD-amendment-with-amended-buffer-language","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605715-5048a988e00c95e623dee6a4f23f0be6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146399&Signature=I8n0MPEJF34T6FMVEXjgHE-GVlSEXkZQBn1dG0ynSoUVZNh1v6Y1cfBJsJnj5DiW0vDjoNbGm9VuvT8yINd1~o6gIfaCL~qguiI2YDp0N9CkXC9gKBVBwVCMll8XYnrDU8sl37TyvmgJDKl0g4S0Ucw-zis2RjpOqMbeVTCGP5ksXK6YnCUs57J-cozV7nb8jEvSXRchHUedSccV4t7vWlRUshpaTg6JHrVaGFbAvHh-YqUslLa1yazJo5Lu9eOnAIVr~Ms9w6fTV9LLAz5yNukQJt~I6a-zx6BRkutnpDkCAo0AdfqXefGNHZtRM1ZGy7OzCmCO9XazQ3ReWs3feA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Marion County","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","On April 14, 2025, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a Planned Unit Development (PUD) amendment for Southeast 70 Third (case 250407ZP), allowing one additional residential lot, relocating amenities and permitting a six‑foot opaque fence along portions of the site instead of the standard vegetative buffers prescribed by the county Land Development Code.

The change was approved amid debate over tree preservation, buffer width and long‑term landscape survivability. County staff had recommended that the project comply with the LDC buffer standards (type C along some edges and type E along the south), but the developer argued existing mature trees and shading made vegetative buffers impractical in places and proposed a fence plus enhanced plantings elsewhere. The board approved the amendment with revised, written conditions that require final buffer and landscape decisions to be approved at the master‑plan stage by the county landscape architect and the Board of County Commissioners.

Growth Services Director Chuck Verdin summarized the request as a PUD amendment for an existing PUD on Southwest 70 Third just south of the Utopia PUD. The applicant sought three changes: eliminate vegetative buffering in some places in favor of a 6‑foot opaque fence, increase total residential units from 58 to 59, and relocate amenities (adding four pickleball courts, a playground, picnic seating and a mail kiosk) closer to 70 Third. Verdin said the land‑use designation is medium residential and that adjacent parcels include multifamily and agricultural zones.

Developer representative Matt Fabian said the intent is to preserve as many existing trees as feasible and to install a 6‑foot vinyl fence where plantings would struggle in heavy shade. \"We're preserving where feasible,\" Fabian said, and argued a fence provides immediate privacy and requires less long‑term maintenance than planting under heavy canopy. Engineer David Tillman said the team will provide type C plantings along the roadway and expects to plant some larger (3–7 gallon) shrub material to create quicker opacity along 70 Third.

Parks and Recreation Director Jim Coulard said parks staff had not deeply reviewed the site but noted that species suitable for shaded plantings are available and offered to coordinate with the developer's landscape architect. Growth services staff and the parks director expressed concerns that the applicant had not yet produced a site‑specific tree preservation/landscape plan showing which trees would be saved, how wide preserved zones would be, and the survivability of proposed plantings.

The board and staff negotiated amendments to several staff conditions during the meeting. Key changes recorded in the approved conditions include:
- Buffers may be amended as requested in case 250407ZP but any amendment must be approved by the county landscape architect and then by the Board of County Commissioners at the final master‑plan review.
- Condition requiring an updated traffic analysis was removed after the county engineer confirmed the existing traffic study remains valid through 2027 and that one additional dwelling unit did not require an update at this time.
- The applicant agreed to provide a 25‑foot right‑of‑way dedication along Southeast 70 Third and to pay a fee‑in‑lieu for the sidewalk (a DRC waiver was already issued; the payment will come to the board for final approval).
- The project will connect to the Utopia lift station and Marion County utilities as described in staff notes; language about off‑site sewer was corrected to reflect on‑site/lift‑station connections to Marion County utilities.

Commissioner Zalick moved approval with the amended conditions; Commissioner McLean seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

What the vote means: the PUD amendment clears the zoning hurdle but requires the applicant to return with a final master plan showing the agreed landscape, buffer and access details. The board directed staff to continue site‑level coordination (including a potential site visit by parks staff) and to allow the developer's landscape architect to work directly with county staff on final planting plans.

The case record identifies the request as 250407ZP; the county Land Development Code (LDC) standards for type C and type E buffers were central to the discussion (type C: 15‑foot wide with 2 shade trees and 3 ornamental trees plus shrubs/groundcover; type E: 5‑foot wide with 4 shade trees and shrubs). The applicant represented that the additional unit brings the approved total from 58 to 59 units.

The board will consider the project's final master plan and the precise buffer/planting plans at a future meeting once the applicant submits the detailed landscaping and site plans.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Marion County - Board of County Commissioners Planning and Zoning on 2025-04-14 1:00 PM - Apr 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","On April 14, 2025, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a Planned Unit Development (PUD) amendment for Southeast 70 Third (case 250407ZP), allowing one additional residential lot, relocating amenities and permitting a six‑foot opaque fence along portions of the site instead of the standard vegetative buffers prescribed by the county Land Development Code.","taxTitle","Marion County, Florida","taxId",4897,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6605704,"Marion County approves four zoning changes on planning and zoning consent agenda",366,1247000,1613000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985034-0bdb891a47ba8afe8da73799dec35909&start=1247&end=1613","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985034-0bdb891a47ba8afe8da73799dec35909/thumbnail_1247000.jpg","/articles/6605704/Marion-County/Florida/Marion-County-approves-four-zoning-changes-on-planning-and-zoning-consent-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605704-49f564885d8245bdf7e01b13b62176a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146399&Signature=MYxWdUec-xxADSUUOvj1gZp9Ok94mrKvn7qtF8cYhK3VK6jt8tTNb6ukAQfIfIxZBjgEH40g913gDbJ6yVKEgqrHQ12ICRYiyf6qlaw3WS9~NPxQq8wI7qQfuVR8uZJ2e8oc~iiDQN7EWx6i-j56sNzHwJEzcQAXCas0MYgVotfTVMMM-3qRbLlBNgoGaf1xRRAR8BWsMa8H28rgwRRK5CR~a~BA9t~ch5wJyb1YT3cSJgrdFI7HKq0PqHJ7d3gBkFtWyxE6jmljGPFi6KZa62ZU9M2zQwd5JosC1iBqoXG7NTWCHhVhudXSqWB5xwzPZaJvMPIY6ns7Ep8JJJAWmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its April 14, 2025 planning and zoning session, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners approved the planning and zoning consent agenda items 1.1.01 through 1.1.04 by a single unanimous vote.

The items approved were:
- Case 250401ZC (Bamcore, Florida LLC): rezoning from multifamily dwelling (R‑3) to light industrial (M‑1) for a 2.77‑acre parcel (parcel account number 9030072701); applicant described use as an employment center and extension of adjacent lumber/wood product fabrication uses.
- Case 250403ZC (Java Homes Investment, LLC): rezoning from rural business (B‑2) to rural residential (RR‑1) for a 2.3‑acre parcel (15460 SW 40th Street Road, Ocala).
- Case 250404ZC (W D Holt LLC and Nacho Properties LLC): rezoning from rural commercial (RC‑1) to regional business (B‑4) for a portion of a 19.19‑acre parcel (1950 SE Highway 44, Bellevue).
- Case 250405SU (W D Holt LLC and Nacho Properties LLC): special‑use permit to allow outdoor storage of plumbing pipe within the B‑4 zone for the same portion of the 19.19‑acre parcel (1950 SE Highway 44, Bellevue).

Growth Services staff read the items into the record; the board asked a question about the intended use for the Bamcore parcel and the applicant (Toby Stultz) explained Bamcore fabricates prefabricated wood panels and would use the parcel as an extension of an existing manufacturing/fabrication operation. There were no public objections and no items were pulled for individual consideration.

Commissioner Stone moved approval of items 1.1.01 through 1.1.04; Commissioner Curry seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

","The Marion County Board of County Commissioners approved four consent zoning items covering rezones and a special use permit for parcels across the county; the consent motion passed unanimously.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6605710,"Marion County gives staff 30 days to seek easement for Highway 27 West utilities; ordinance for PUD adopted",1619,3711000,5330000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985034-0bdb891a47ba8afe8da73799dec35909&start=3711&end=5330","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985034-0bdb891a47ba8afe8da73799dec35909/thumbnail_3711000.jpg","/articles/6605710/Marion-County/Florida/Marion-County-gives-staff-30-days-to-seek-easement-for-Highway-27-West-utilities-ordinance-for-PUD-adopted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605710-1f2bef11a13dffbc4f2a8670661511e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146399&Signature=BnR9OeZDxZuQ59~BUqrsrUxhqqsli-OoK73AXR-eZ89SJuJxDP2YAHjUkFdG0aDRLOyJGhP5V4uojD65QYsI8Rw0X2PsCCsdXZvz9soATZOwVZ6XbFkxVO4bM1vLUZeBBN8YgmdXMFnJpQlEVtcosjTL8cLXtxGyablUtitgZVbwXpgRuFnothLtWvBR4thCwJqqYVpWaMIj3PRwz3a4w7i0XWVSmfHLw~oSS6M1l0aiabDJqulQb0e6oA4FhVlV2bgsfi78Wb76M73-VZSAJkRjB6IOhWhh8QoWpe6BTLKw9AML7Slmvixso1skfwJepYBjokH9~bEgmbXhil~dgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On April 14, 2025, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners directed county staff to spend 30 days attempting to secure an easement with an adjacent property owner so the Highway 27 West development (case 241211ZP, also called the Longleaf Park PUD in staff materials) can connect to Marion County water and sewer services. If staff cannot obtain a reasonable easement within the 30‑day period or the easement price exceeds the board's tolerance, the board authorized a fallback: pursue a negotiated bulk‑service agreement with the City of Ocala or allow the applicant to connect to city utilities. The directive passed 4–1; Commissioner Zalick dissented. Later in the meeting the board unanimously adopted the ordinance associated with the case.

Growth Services staff presented the site and explained the applicant's preference to connect to the county system because it is closer and cheaper, but noted a practical impediment: the easiest gravity connection requires an easement across an adjacent parcel. Utilities Director Tony Cunningham told the board Marion County utilities are available and recommended connection to the county, but said county staff have been unable to finalize an easement after months of contact attempts and that the adjacent property owner’s legal review was still pending.

The developer's representative and property proponent, Jimmy Gooding, told the board staff and the applicant had repeatedly sought an easement and presented three options for the board to consider: (1) secure an easement from the adjacent property owner at a negotiated price; (2) negotiate a bulk‑services agreement with the City of Ocala (the county would remain the wastewater utility but the city would provide treatment under an intergovernmental arrangement); or (3) allow direct connection to city services if the other two options fail. Gooding said the developer preferred the county connection and offered to pay a developer's share for intersection improvements requested by the county engineer if required.

Board members discussed escalation steps for staff and possible county‑level outreach to accelerate the adjacent owner's review. Several commissioners supported county connection via an easement as the first option but agreed it is reasonable to proceed to the second option (bulk agreement) or third option (city connection) if an easement could not be secured within the 30‑day window. Commissioner Stone moved the directive (30 days to secure easement; if unsuccessful permit city connection); Commissioner McLean seconded. The motion passed 4–1 with Commissioner Zalick voting no.

After public comment from Quail Meadows residents concerned about a pump station alarm and neighborhood impacts, the board took a second, separate vote to adopt the ordinance associated with case 241211ZP. Commissioner McLean moved the ordinance and Commissioner Stone seconded; the ordinance passed unanimously.

What the board directed staff to do: attempt to obtain an easement from the adjacent property owner within 30 days and escalate county outreach if necessary; if the easement is not secured within 30 days or if the easement cost is unacceptable to the board, pursue a bulk‑service agreement with the City of Ocala or allow the applicant to connect to city utilities. The board also approved the PUD ordinance for Highway 27 West by unanimous vote.

","The Marion County Board of County Commissioners directed staff to pursue a utility easement for the Highway 27 West (case 241211ZP) development and approved fallback options; the board also adopted the related ordinance. The directive passed 4–1; the ordinance vote was unanimous.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Marion County OKs Southeast 70 Third PUD amendment with amended buffer language

Marion County approves four zoning changes on planning and zoning consent agenda

Marion County gives staff 30 days to seek easement for Highway 27 West utilities; ordinance for PUD adopted